At Treasure Coast News, Managing Editor Adam Neal said a grassroots approach seeded a shift to digital, which was spurred by Gannett’s purchase of the company in 2016. He thought the staff would be apprehensive after the purchase, so he wanted to make sure they were behind any changes to the newsroom.

“Corporate said, ‘Here are some tools,’” Neal said, but beyond that, the redesign was led by a committee of non-managers. That created a sense of ownership among the primary users of the space. “It didn’t feel like another corporate or management initiative,” he said. ​

When the Center for Investigative Reporting moved into a former factory, the designer incorporated several lounge areas with “home-like” furnishings. These seating areas soften the industrial setting and provide alternative places to work throughout the day. (Photo by Rachel de Leon)

Three steps to learn what your staff needs and wants in their workplace

Real estate company JLL describes three issues to address when surveying employees prior to a relocation or remodel. Whether formally or informally, each newsroom in this study conducted some version of these analyses.

“It was the newsroom of Woodward and Bernstein,” Washington​ ​Post​ ​Deputy​ Managing​ Editor​ ​Tracy​ ​Grant​ ​said. But the company hadn’t really done anything to celebrate the legacy of the Post in its old space. This sort of issue can come to light by surveying your employees. The new newsroom, Grant said, “honors the tradition of The Washington Post.” (Photo by Garrett Rowland)

“List all the potential activities you imagine doing in Space A, B, or C…”

“For each activity, indicate the number of people that would typically participate, how often and for what duration.”

“Are there any tasks you need to perform that you can’t in the existing space?”

A bright paint scheme helped refresh the newsroom at the Virginian-Pilot and convey a fresh look for the newly digital newsroom. Updated, brightly-colored furniture in new seating areas provided new seating opportunities to meet and work away from desks. (Photo by The’ N. pham)